Italian Gothic Horror Films, 1957-1969

#1048496 in Books 2015-04-02Original language:EnglishPDF # 1 .70 x 6.90 x 9.90l, .0 #File Name:

(Download pdf) Italian Gothic Horror Films, 1957-1969

Roberto Curti, Foreword by Ernesto Gastaldi : Italian Gothic Horror Films, 1957-1969 before purchasing it in order to gage whether or not it would be worth my time, and all praised Italian Gothic Horror Films, 1957-1969:

3 of 3 people found the following review helpful. VALUABLE AND WELL WRITTEN REFERENCE BOOKBy Mark MartucciBeing a fan of the black and white Italian gothic films such as CASTLE OF BLOOD, Bava's BLACK SUNDAY or the Italian vampire films such as SLAUGHTER OF THE VAMPIRES, and the other major films in this sub-genre, this book is a valuable reference. It has intelligent entries for over 40 films from the era. Many I had never come across but have since found and enjoyed.The importance of the book is that it is well written in English from a respected Italian expert on the genre. The author has done his homework and gives information on the directors and actors but he even has found information on the production of most of these very obscure little gems.Most of these were not shot on soundstages but at various existing Villas in Italy. I learned so much about these films from this book that the films are now even more enjoyable with all this background at my fingertips.I do have to nitpick one little thing. There is no table of contents as to what films are included and the index of titles in the back does not give the page numbers (only year of release) so it's hard to find entries. I made my own index so it wasn't all that much of a problem.The one star post below is inexplicable to me unless the writing, which can get a bit brainy at times, was over that poster's head.0 of 0 people found the following review helpful. Great overview of Italian Gothic FilmsBy Derek A. EstesItalian Gothic films are given much less attention than the more popular Western and Giallo genres. This book is a great reference by including film by film synopsis with commentary. I look forward to finding some of the more obscure films discussed.13 of 13 people found the following review helpful. Castles and Candles and Virgins, Oh My!!By William AmazziniMy first introduction to the Gothic Horror genre was Director Roger Corman's 'THE PIT AND THE PENDULUM'-1961 . Home grown on the Universal monster movies televised in the early sixties , this eight year old was disappointed that Vincent Price was the closest thing to a monster that I would find here. My mind, however, was changed forever when I gazed on the beautiful visage of actress Barbara Steele as the Gothic Horror film planted its seed in me . Eight years later, I saw Director Mario Bava's 'BLACK SUNDAY' aka ''LA MASCHERA DEL DEMONIO'-1960 for the first time and here was my favorite actress playing a dual role against the most beautiful horrific images I had ever seen. The Italian Gothic Horror film has stayed with me to this day and now , author Roberto Curti has compiled an excellent tome on this vastly neglected genre. Mr.Curti has selected over 40 plus titles , some of which have never been discussed before from the years 1957 to 1969. The three kings of the genre ( Mario Bava, Riccardo Freda, and Antonio Margheriti) are well represented but it's wonderful to see Director's Camillo Marstrocinque, Roberto Mauri, and Giorgio Ferroni getting their due. Each film is represented in year order with full cast, credits , synopsis and interviews with the filmmakers and technicians. Mr. Curti, who also gave us the incredible 'ITALIAN CRIME FILMOGRAPHY' book a few years back , scribes in a user friendly manner never over indulging or playing favorites on the films. The book has a wonderful introduction by Ernesto Gastaldi who not only wrote screenplays for some of the Gothic films presented here but the Giallo genre as well. Rare photos, lobby cards and fotobustas round out the mix ( no color ones unfortunately but who can quibble) and an impeccable introduction chapter on what constitutes a Gothic Horror film and explaining how the Italians peppered Westerns and Sword and Sandal films with slight Gothic touches when needed. It was a joy to read through coverage of such films as the rare vampire tale Director Renato Polselli's 'THE VAMPIRE OF THE OPERA' aka 'IL MOSTRO DELL' OPERA'-1964 , Director Alberto De Martino's 'THE BLANCHEVILLE MONSTER' aka ' HORROR'-1963 and Director Brunello Rondi's underrated 'RUN,PSYCHO,RUN' aka 'PIU TARDI, CLAIRE...PIU TARDI'- 1968. One of my favorite reviews is for Director Stefano Vanzina's guilty pleasure 'UNCLE WAS A VAMPIRE' aka 'TEMPI DURI PER I VAMPIRI-1959. Archivists should try to find and release this film in its Technicolor Techniscope glory and its great to see actor Sir Christopher Lee playing his vampire straight against the comedy. Having seen this film on a small Black and White TV set back in the Sixties, it brought back many memories. The review encompasses the tone of the Italian Gothic at that period predating the classics to come and satirizing a genre which just begun to foliate. When you read it, you'll see what I mean. Mr. Curti has given fans and scholars alike another welcome addition to the Horror film genre library as this book comes highly recommended from a now sixty year old fan who still breaks out in a cold sweat when Barbara Steele over powers her leading man delivering that icy cold purring laugh amidst the cobwebs and the candle light of her exquisite photoplays. This fast paced modern world of cinema may have left these genres in the dust but it's books like these that give them eternal life. Ancora, Signor Curti, Bravissimo!!

The "Gothic" style was a key trend in Italian cinema of the 1950s and 1960s because of its peculiar, often strikingly original approach to the horror genre. These films portrayed Gothic staples in a stylish and idiosyncratic way, and took a daring approach to the supernatural and to eroticism, with the presence of menacing yet seductive female witches, vampires and ghosts. Thanks to such filmmakers as Mario Bava (Black Sunday), Riccardo Freda (The Horrible Dr. Hichcock), and Antonio Margheriti (Castle of Blood), as well the iconic presence of actress Barbara Steele, Italian Gothic horror went overseas and reached cult status. The book examines the Italian Gothic horror of the period, with an abundance of previously unpublished production information drawn from official papers and original scripts. Entries include a complete cast and crew list, home video releases, plot summary and the author's analysis. Excerpts from interviews with filmmakers, scriptwriters and actors are included. The foreword is by film director and scriptwriter Ernesto Gastaldi.

"Curti's book is a utilitarian addition to the field, including considerations of such interesting directors as Riccardo Freda and Antonio Margheriti." - Barry Forshaw, DVD Choices Website, October 2015About the AuthorRoberto Curti is an Italian film critic and a contributor to film magazines and to books published in Italy, Great Britain and Spain. He lives in Cortona, Italy.